Rajnath first Defence Minister to fly ‘LCA Tejas’

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi  : Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on September 19, 2019, morning, scripted history by becoming the first Defence Minister  to fly the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) ‘Tejas’.  He undertook 30-minute sortie in the indigenously-built multi-role fighter aircraft with Air Vice Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari at the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Airport in Bengaluru, Karnataka.

Rajnath described his experience of flying the fourth-generation aircraft as ’thrilling and special’. Congratulating HAL, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), and Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) for building the multi-role fighter aircraft,he said demand has been received for ‘Tejas’ from different countries. He expressed pride that India has reached a stage where fighter aircraft and arms & ammunition can be exported to the world, according to a PIB release.

The Defence Minister also praised the Indian Air Force as well as Army & Navy for their professionalism, courage and bravery. “I am proud of the soldiers of our Armed Forces,” he said.

Air Vice Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari said the Defence even controlled ‘Tejas’ in the air for some time and was shown the Avionics and Sophisticated Systems onboard the aircraft. He said,  “Shri Rajnath Singh was very happy with the quality and smoothness of the aircraft.” Earlier, Rajnath was briefed about the functioning of the ‘Tejas’ by senior officials of Air Force.

Dr G Satheesh Reddy, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D, and Chairman, DRDO;  R  Madhavan, CMD, HAL, and other senior officials of DRDO and HAL were present on the occasion. Tejas is a multi-role fighter with several critical capabilities. It is meant to strengthen India’s air defence capabilities.